SynCrop’s research was dedicated to the main scientific objective - to control core cellular regulation by creating synthetic genetic parts and circuitry that are modular and can be easily rewired to support highly efficient production of food additives (exopolysaccharides, vitamins, and carotenoids). Key results include:
- Production and production-sensing circuits to produce exopolysaccharides, vitamins, or carotenoids for some of the most important industrial organisms used in food industry (Escherichia coli, Streptococcus thermophilus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were designed. The design and integration of the production circuits were optimized using model-guided studies.
- Alterations in the physico-chemical properties of the cytosol and membrane integrity upon operation of synthetic circuits were assessed through integrated state-of-the-art experimental and modelling approach.
- The integrative response of transcription, translation and metabolic responses upon operation of synthetic circuits were determined using various cutting-edge omics approaches combined with predictive modeling with different granularity.
- Various sensors to quantify homeostatic alterations were designed. The output of the production-sensing circuits together with the assessed limitations of core cellular processes served to define key set points used to mitigate the effect of the synthetic circuits.
- Through the precise control of expression of circuit components to economically use cellular resources the productivity of the synthetic circuits that produce exopolysaccharides, vitamins or carotenoids was optimized and their productivity enhanced in both laboratory and industrial scales.
From launching on the consortium, SynCrop has been present through a Wordpress-based website (
http://www.synsrop.org/syncrop/(si apre in una nuova finestra)) representing SynCrop’s own digital identity serving as a public window to present the consortium program and research. SynCrop has been disseminating results mainly through two channels: (1) academic channel, and (2) general public channel. So far, the SynCrop scientists have been extraordinarily successful and productive in their research - 27 peer-reviewed publications have been published and two IPs have been filed. The scientific results were disseminated through openly accessible publications, including pre-prints deposition on bioRxiv that enables immediate dissemination of results even during the peer review process. Each ESR presented the results at multiple national and international scientific conferences and workshops, both in presence and during the pandemic in a virtual format. Through participation in multiple public events, the ESRs enlarged the outreach of their scientific activities to layman audience. Several activities and events in schools were organized to raise the awareness and popularity of natural and engineering sciences among pupils - the next generation of students and scientists.
